The UnCorker

2005 d’Arenberg Grenache The Derelict Vineyard McLaren Vale

From one of Australia’s most venerable producers, this Grenache comes from a a vineyard that had been planted in the 1960’s, but had fallen into disuse; neglected and used as a horse paddock for over two decades, d’Arenberg has slowly reclaimed the vineyard, and the result is this lovely Grenache. The 2005 jumps out of the glass with a lifted aroma of juicy berries and vanilla and follows with a concentrated blast of dark voluptuous fruit and savory spices- this is juicy and beguiling stuff, at once fresh and young, but also dense and chewy-really shows what a bit of age can do for the vines. Spends time in 1-3 year old American oak barriques. Drinking well right now, it would be great to cellar a case and drink it over the next few years just to see how it unfolds- a tremendous value.